In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, Angela sits down with Jessica Tracy, Certified Jungian Coach, consultant, speaker, and former corporate executive, to explore the hidden cost of high performance and why so many successful leaders find themselves battling anxiety, burnout, and a lingering sense that something is missing.

Jessica shares her personal journey from thriving in high-pressure corporate leadership roles to confronting the trauma, perfectionism, and need for external validation that were quietly driving her life. Together, Angela and Jessica discuss the warning signs leaders often ignore, the limitations of traditional approaches to mental health, and why self-awareness, creativity, rest, and inner work are becoming essential leadership skills.

The conversation dives into topics like shadow work, emotional regulation, workplace mental health, leadership blind spots, and how unresolved stress can impact not only individual performance but entire team cultures. Jessica also explains how Jungian psychology, archetypes, dream work, and alternative healing modalities can help leaders gain deeper insight into themselves and lead more consciously.

Learn More About Jessica Tracy:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.tracy.547
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jessicatracy_
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-tracy-gbds-clcs/
• Website: https://www.jessicathejungian.coach/
• Substack https://jessicathejungiancoach.substack.com/
  
  

The discussion also tackles questions…

• Why do high performers often struggle with anxiety and burnout?
• What are the early warning signs that you're heading toward burnout?
• Why doesn't traditional success always lead to fulfillment?
• What do most executives misunderstand about stress?
• How can leaders become more self-aware?
• What is shadow work, and why does it matter for leadership?
• How does unresolved trauma show up in decision-making and team culture?
• What does emotionally regulated leadership actually look like?
• Why are creativity, rest, and play critical for high performance?
• What are some practical ways leaders can improve their mental health?
• How can organizations better support employee well-being?
• What role do alternative healing modalities play in personal growth and transformation?
• How can leaders identify and overcome their unconscious blind spots?

Themes:

• Leadership and self-awareness
• High performance and burnout
• Executive mental health
• Emotional regulation
• Shadow work and personal growth
• Jungian psychology
• Leadership blind spots
• Trauma and resilience
• Workplace mental health
• Conscious leadership
• Creativity and innovation
• Rest, play, and sustainable performance
• Team culture and psychological safety
• Alternative healing modalities
• Personal transformation

Produced by: The AGN Group

Host: Angela Gill Nelms

Producer: Katie Hart

Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.

Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com

About The AGN Group:

At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.

Social Media Channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/

Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2

Want to be a Podcast Guest?

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email brave@angelagillnelms.com.

In this special re-release of one of the most personal episodes in Badass Leaders Podcast history, Gia Ganesh takes over the host chair and turns the tables on Angela Gill Nelms.

Angela opens up about the experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy, from surviving an abusive childhood and becoming a single mother, to earning an engineering degree while raising a daughter with special needs, leading high-growth companies, and building a career centered on helping others reach their full potential.

Together, Angela and Gia explore the meaning behind "Be Brave. Be Badass.," the power of resilience, how to overcome perfectionism and imposter syndrome, what great leaders understand about conflict resolution, and why emotional intelligence matters more than raw talent.

As an added bonus, this episode features People Multiple host Gia Ganesh before the launch of her own podcast. Be sure to check out People Multiple, with the first three episodes available now.

Learn More About Gia:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/giaganesh/
• https://www.peoplemultiple.com/

The Discussion Also Tackles Questions Like...

• What does "Be Brave. Be Badass." actually mean?
• How do you overcome imposter syndrome as a leader?
• How can leaders stop perfectionism from holding them back?
• What are the warning signs of burnout?
• How do you know when it's time to take a step back from work?
• What makes someone coachable?
• Why is emotional intelligence more important than technical expertise?
• How do great leaders handle conflict?
• What does healthy conflict look like on a team?
• How can leaders give and receive feedback more effectively?
• How do you build a strong personal brand?

Themes

• Resilience and adversity
• Leadership development
• Personal growth and self-awareness
• Burnout and recovery
• Emotional intelligence
• Coachability and feedback
• Personal branding
• Conflict resolution
• Women in leadership
• High-performance leadership
• Perfectionism and imposter syndrome
• Building great teams
• Lifelong learning
• Career pivots and reinvention

Production

Produced by: The AGN Group

Host: Angela Gill Nelms

Producer: Katie Hart

Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.

Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com

About The AGN Group:

At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.

Social Media Channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/

Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2

Want to be a Podcast Guest?

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, read more here: https://www.angelagillnelms.com/be-our-guest/

In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, Angela Gill Nelms sits down with Sam Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Amissa Health, to unpack the massive gaps in women’s healthcare, the business opportunity behind menopause care, and the reality of building a startup in an industry most people still feel uncomfortable talking about.

Angela and Sam dive deep into the emotional reality of entrepreneurship, startup failure, fundraising as a female founder, healthcare innovation, AI in medicine, the hidden burden women carry in leadership, and why the future of healthcare depends on better data, better workflows, and better listening.

They also explore the business case for women’s health, why symptom tracking matters, how healthcare systems are failing both patients and clinicians, and what founders need to understand about resilience, timing, and learning through failure.

Learn More About Sam Smith:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amissa_inc/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-c-smith52415/
• Website: www.amissa.com

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Seed the South: https://www.seedthesouth.com/
• Techstars AI Health Baltimore
• NIH (National Institutes of Health)
• Epic Systems
• Oura Ring
• Menopause Society certification (formerly NAMS)
• Women’s Health Access Matters (WHAM)

The discussion also tackles questions…

• Why is women’s health historically underfunded and overlooked?
• What are the most common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause?
• How can wearable data improve menopause care?
• Why do so many women struggle to get diagnosed during menopause?
• How does symptom tracking help doctors make better decisions?
• Why are healthcare startups so difficult to build?
• What do investors look for in healthcare startups?
• What is it really like to raise money as a female founder?
• How can AI and wearable technology improve healthcare outcomes?
• Why do so many startups fail even when the idea is strong?
• What lessons do entrepreneurs learn from failure?
• How do healthcare systems handle menopause care today?
• Why are women leaving the workforce during menopause?
• What makes a good founder or startup leader?
• How can founders protect their mental health during high-growth periods?
• Why is timing so important in startups and innovation?
• What role does data play in improving patient care?
• How can clinicians better support women navigating menopause?

Themes:

• Entrepreneurship & startup resilience
• Women’s health innovation
• Menopause & perimenopause care
• Healthcare technology & AI
• Wearable data & symptom tracking
• Startup failure & rebuilding
• Female founders & fundraising
• Leadership under pressure
• Healthcare system inefficiencies
• Founder mental health
• Product-market timing
• Data-driven healthcare
• Healthcare workflow innovation
• Building mission-driven companies
• The business opportunity in women’s health
• Leadership, motherhood, and ambition
• Healthcare accessibility & patient advocacy

Production

Produced by: The AGN Group

Host: Angela Gill Nelms

Producer: Katie Hart

Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.

Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com

About The AGN Group:

At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.

Social Media Channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/

Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2

Want to be a Podcast Guest?

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, read more here: https://www.angelagillnelms.com/be-our-guest/

Not every client is worth keeping—and the best leaders know when to walk away.

In this powerful compilation episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, Angela Gill Nelms brings together real stories from founders, executives, and operators who made one of the hardest decisions in business: firing a client.

From walking away from $30K/month in recurring revenue to cutting ties with million-dollar accounts, these leaders share what happens when values, respect, and alignment break down—and why protecting your team, culture, and long-term vision matters more than short-term profit.

You’ll hear firsthand how toxic client relationships impact team morale, decision-making, and growth—and how choosing boundaries over revenue often leads to better opportunities, stronger leadership credibility, and healthier businesses.

If you’ve ever questioned whether to hold onto a difficult client, this episode will challenge your thinking and give you the clarity (and courage) to act.

Watch the full interviews here:

• Ed Morgan: https://youtu.be/w3MDOEksdQM
• Barrie Cohen: https://youtu.be/b2ePNiJOuRY
• Marc Reifenrath: https://youtu.be/x4yuJeb3G4Q
• Anne Chow: https://youtu.be/JrgdCCOwkG0
• Drew Harden: https://youtu.be/Z1xPDTB_TxA
• Dr. Kofi Smith: https://youtu.be/5CKPG7nfwww

The discussion also tackles questions…
When is it time to fire a client—even if they’re bringing in significant revenue?

• How do you know if a client relationship is misaligned with your values or culture?
• What are the hidden costs of keeping the wrong client?
• How do toxic clients impact team morale, retention, and performance?
• Should leaders prioritize revenue or protecting their people?
• What role do core values play in deciding to walk away from business?
• How do you handle clients who are disrespectful, controlling, or uncoachable?
• What happens after you fire a major client—does the business recover?
• How can firing a client actually create better opportunities?
• How do you communicate the decision internally and externally?

Themes:

• Leadership courage and decision-making under pressure
• Values-driven leadership vs. revenue-driven decisions
• Protecting team culture and morale
• Boundaries in business relationships
• Opportunity cost and strategic growth
• Client alignment and partnership vs. vendor dynamics
• Emotional intelligence in high-stakes situations
• Long-term thinking vs. short-term gain
• Empowering teams and earning trust as a leader

Production

Produced by: The AGN Group

Host: Angela Gill Nelms

Producer: Katie Hart

Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.

Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com

About The AGN Group:

At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.

Social Media Channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/

Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2

Want to be a Podcast Guest?

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, read more here: https://www.angelagillnelms.com/be-our-guest/

What if the real reason you feel stuck isn’t your strategy, your team, or your execution—but your identity?

In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, Angela Gill Nelms sits down with Hilary Porta, identity and performance expert, to unpack what actually drives leadership behavior, decision-making, and long-term success. This conversation goes beyond mindset and into the subconscious patterns, nervous system responses, and internal beliefs that quietly shape how leaders show up.

Hilary shares how high performers unknowingly sabotage their own growth, why traditional leadership development often falls short, and what it really takes to scale a business without losing yourself in the process.

Learn More About Hilary Porta:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hilary.porta
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamhilaryporta/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilary-porta-566b486/
• Website: www.hporta.com
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IAMTheLifeArchitect
• Other: https://thelifearchitect.kartra.com/page/vipdiscoverycall
  
  

The discussion also tackles questions…

• Why do high performers still feel stuck even when they’re doing everything right?
• What subconscious beliefs are limiting leadership growth and decision-making?
• Why isn’t mindset work alone enough for true transformation?
• How does identity impact business success and leadership effectiveness?
• What causes leaders to micromanage, control, or operate from fear?
• How can you identify and change limiting patterns in your behavior?
• What does it mean to “scale from soul” in business?
• How do you build a successful company without sacrificing your relationships or well-being?
• What are the signs your nervous system is working against your performance?
• How can leaders create alignment between who they are and how they lead?

Themes:

• Identity and leadership alignment
• Subconscious programming and behavior patterns
• Nervous system regulation and high performance
• Emotional intelligence vs identity-level transformation
• Leadership blind spots and self-awareness
• Scaling businesses without burnout or identity loss
• Culture, agreements, and team dynamics
• Personal growth, fulfillment, and legacy
• Fear, control, and micromanagement in leadership
• Intentional living and daily practices for leaders

Production

Produced by: The AGN Group

Host: Angela Gill Nelms

Producer: Katie Hart

Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.

Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com

About The AGN Group:

At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.

Social Media Channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/

Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2

Want to be a Podcast Guest?

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, read more here: https://www.angelagillnelms.com/be-our-guest/

In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, Susanne Biro, executive coach to CEOs and senior leaders, shares what she’s learned after decades of working behind the scenes with some of the most successful people in the world. From navigating her own experience with depression in her twenties to advising leaders of billion-dollar organizations, Susanne reveals the hidden fears, internal pressure, and mental patterns that quietly shape performance, decision-making, and fulfillment.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level leadership advice and dives into the real work most leaders avoid: self-awareness, emotional mastery, and honest communication. Susanne breaks down how “Deep Fear” shows up even at the highest levels, why success often fails to deliver fulfillment, and how leaders can shift their internal dialogue to lead with greater clarity, confidence, and impact.

You’ll also learn practical tools to strengthen self-awareness, improve communication, and take control of your inner narrative so you can lead more effectively without burning out.

Learn More About Susanne Biro:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-biro-executivecoach/
• Website: https://susannebiro.com/
• Podcast: https://deepfearpodcast.com/
• Book: https://susannebiro.com/book/
  
  

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Tony Robbins: https://www.tonyrobbins.com/
• Michael Singer: https://untetheredsoul.com/
• Susanne’s TEDx: https://youtu.be/5mv6OX8ylP4?si=4GO9w5yu3lD7Y3ip
  
  

The discussion also tackles questions…

• Why do high-performing leaders still feel unfulfilled, even after achieving success?
• What is “Deep Fear,” and how does it quietly impact decision-making and leadership performance?
• Why does the human mind default to negative thinking, and how can you change it?
• How do you know if your inner dialogue is helping or hurting your leadership?
• What’s the difference between success and fulfillment, and why do so many leaders confuse the two?
• How can leaders improve self-awareness in a practical, daily way?
• What does real listening actually look like in leadership conversations?
• Why do leaders avoid difficult conversations, and how can they start having them more effectively?
• How can you reframe fear into growth and build confidence through action?
• What daily habits help leaders stay grounded, focused, and resilient under pressure?

Themes:

• The inner game of leadership and self-awareness
• Hidden fear and pressure in high-performing leaders
• Emotional intelligence and executive decision-making
• Success vs. fulfillment and the “outer life trap”
• The power of mindset and internal dialogue
• Building confidence through action and discomfort
• Brave conversations and authentic communication
• The role of relationships and human connection in leadership
• Personal responsibility and self-mastery
• Daily practices for mental clarity and resilience

Produced by: The AGN Group

Host: Angela Gill Nelms

Producer: Katie Hart

Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.

Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com

About The AGN Group:

At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.

Social Media Channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/

Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2

Want to be a Podcast Guest?

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email brave@angelagillnelms.com.